Summer has arrived and presents perfect opportunities to leave the crowded city for a fun, relaxing weekend in Washington County, only one hour from Houston. Here are a few activities we’ve selected in the coming weeks you might enjoy including the amazing Fourth of July fireworks show at Washington-on-the-Brazos. While you’re here, we’d enjoy meeting you at Gates Ranch, an exclusive community of family farms.

Burton Farmer’s Market in Burton 

First Saturday of the Month

Bring your market bags for the Burton Farmers & Artisans Market, held the first Saturday of every month. Stock up on fresh baked bread from the Brazos Belle Restaurant, mini pies from Prima Vera Farms and organic produce, jams, pickles, jewelry and maybe even local honey and eggs. Grab some breakfast, brunch or lunch at The Burton Cafe, Burton Short Stop, Cotton Pickin’ Kitchen or Burton Sausage Co.

The Burton Farmer’s Market is located at the Burton Railroad Depot at 507 North Railroad Street. The market is open from 9am until noon. For more information, call 979-353-0050.

 

 

Round Top Music Festival in Round Top

Now Through July 12

Talented young musicians study and perform in a series of orchestra and chamber music concerts with renowned faculty, conductors and soloists. Special concerts are at 1:30 p.m. on select dates. Chamber music is presented every week at 3:30 p.m. In the evenings, orchestra music is performed every week at 7:30 p.m. Concerts are performed in the strikingly beautiful and acoustically perfect Festival Concert Hall and in the charming Edythe Bates Old Chapel.

The Round Top Music Festival’s annual crowd-pleasing “Patriotic Concert” is presented this year on Sunday, July 5 at 3 p.m.

The venue is located at 248 Jaster Road in Round Top. For more information, including show schedule and ticket prices, please visit www.FestivalHill.org or call 979-249-3129.

 

 

Chappell Hill’s 39th Annual 4th of July Parade and Summer Cowboy Event 

July 4

Chappell Hill celebrates Independence Day beginning with a parade on Main Street at 10 a.m. After the parade, scoot your boots over to the summer Cowboy Event, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Chappell hill Historical Society Museum, 9220 Poplar Street. The Rocking T Chuck Wagon, Cowboy Bob, pony rides, a petting zoo and oxen demonstrations will be featured this year. An exhibit gallery will present The Life and Legend of V.T. “Cowboy” Williams and the Travis and Linda Cook Collection of cowboy bronze art. The exhibit will be on display through July 29. All activities and exhibits are free.

The Chappell Hill Museum is located at 9220 Poplar Street in Chappell Hill. For more information, visit www.chappellhillmuseum.org or www.ChappellHillTX.com.

 

Fireworks on the Brazos at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historical Site

July 4

Celebrate national Independence Day at the place Where Texas Became Texas. Sponsored by H-E-B, the annual 4th of July celebration at Washington-on-the-Brazos includes a fun-filled day of family activities. Highlights of the celebration are the free music concert from 7 to 9 p.m. in the park’s amphitheater, followed by a fireworks extravaganza with patriotic music at approximately 9:30 p.m. Food vendors will offer a variety of festival food choices; art and crafts vendors will offer items for sale. Visitors can bring picnics, blankets, lawn chairs and flashlights.

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located between Brenham and Navasota off State Hwy 105 and FM 1155. For more information, visit www.birthplaceoftexas.com or call 936-878-2214.

 

 

 

Summer Movies in the Park in Brenham

July 9 and 23

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and snacks for a family night outdoors at Hohlt Park in Brenham. Movies begin 10 minutes after sundown. Films scheduled are:

July 9: Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day”

July 23: Disney’s “Big Hero 6”

Free to all, this is the sixth year the city has been showing movies to the public. Movies start 10 minutes after sundown. Bring your chairs, blankets and kids for a fun night out.

Hohlt Park is located at 2425 North Park Street in Brenham.

 

The Lone Star Gallery Trade Days in Warrenton

July 11

On Saturday, July 11, the Lone Star Gallery in Warrenton is holding a one-day summer show featuring “vintage, antique, repurposed, shabby and more.” If you can’t make the July show, they’re hosting another show on August 8.

For more information, visit www.thelonestargallery.com or call 512-797-9815.

 

 

Hot Nights Cool Tunes Concert Series in Brenham 

July 11, 18 and 25

Enjoy great live music outdoors at the Hot Nights Cool Tunes Concert Series in the historic downtown square in Brenham. Parking and admission are free. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Bring your own lawn chairs. While you’re here, check out the car show on Alamo street too.

Music lineup for July: Suede (July 11), Abbey Road/ Already Gone (July 18), and Molly & the Ringwalds (July 25).

The concerts are held 7-10 p.m. at 100 East Main in Brenham.

 

Shakespeare at Winedale

July 16 – August 9

Shakespeare at Winedale’s 2015 Summer Class takes the stage this July with performances of “Twelfth Night,” “Henry V,” “Pericles,” and, for the first time in the organization’s 45-year history, John Webster’s “The Duchess of Malfi.”

The season opens Thursday, July 16, and runs through Sunday, August 9. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 7:30 p.m., and matinees are on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for general admission or $5 for students. Patrons can purchase tickets through the Shakespeare at Winedale website, www.shakespeare-winedale.org, or by calling (512) 471-4726.

 

 

 

Unity Theatre in Brenham presents “Snow White Goes West” (Children’s Musical)

 July 23 – 26

It’s Snow White with a Stetson! Set during the California Gold Rush, this rambunctious, tongue-in-cheek retelling of the timeless classic pits the hapless heroine against an ill-tempered saloon hall owner named Queenie and her assistant, Sneaky Sam. In true fairy tale fashion, all ends well – thanks to handsome marshal Joe Prince and the seven prospecting Dwarf Brothers.

This children’s musical will be performed July 23 – July 26. The Unity Theatre is located at 300 Church Street in Brenham. For show times, costs and to purchase tickets, please visit www.UnityBrenham.org or call 979-830-8358.

 

We invite you to join us at Gates Ranch, a 1,500-acre community of exclusive, private ranch estates. Over 87% of the farms in Phases One and Two have been acquired by Houstonians for their own family retreats. We are now opening the last section – Section Three – which offers farms ranging in size from 40 to 133 acres and larger. For more information or to schedule your personal tour of Gates Ranch, please call Cyndee Smith with Oldham Goodwin Group  at 713-816-3407 or visit www.gatesranchtx.com.